Why Are My Eyes So Dry? Common Causes of Dry Eye and What Actually Helps

Dry, irritated eyes are one of the most common eye complaints we see. Some patients describe burning or stinging, while others feel as though there is sand or something stuck in their eyes. Dry eye can also cause redness, light sensitivity, and vision that seems to come in and out of focus. At NOVA Advanced Eyecare, we often see patients who have been using over the counter eye drops for months or even years without understanding why their eyes continue to feel dry. The reason is simple: dry eye isn't the same for everyone. Finding the cause of your dry eye is often the first step toward finding a treatment that actually helps.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Your eyes are covered by a thin layer of tears called the tear film. Tears don't just provide water, they contain different layers that help lubricate and protect the surface of your eyes. The outer oily layer is especially important because it helps keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. If your eyes don't produce enough tears, or if those tears evaporate too quickly or don't function properly, dry eye symptoms can develop. Several things can contribute.

1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Along the edges of your eyelids are tiny glands called meibomian glands. These glands produce the oily portion of your tears. When the glands become clogged or don't function properly, the protective oil layer can become inadequate, and tears may evaporate too quickly. This is known as meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, and it is an important cause of evaporative dry eye. For some patients, treating the eyelid glands themselves can be an important part of controlling dry eye rather than simply adding more artificial tears.

2. Spending Too Much Time Looking at Screens

Computers, phones, tablets, and televisions don't necessarily damage your eyes, but extended screen use can contribute to dryness. When we're concentrating on a screen, we tend to blink less frequently. Less blinking means the tear film isn't being refreshed as often, which can contribute to dry-eye symptoms. This can be especially noticeable toward the end of the workday.

3. Your Environment

Air conditioning, heating, fans, wind, smoke, and low humidity can all make tears evaporate more quickly. This is one reason some patients notice that their dry eye becomes worse during certain seasons or in particular environments.

4. Age, Medications, and Medical Conditions

Dry eye becomes more common with age. Certain medications can also contribute, including some medicines used for allergies, colds, depression, and high blood pressure. Diabetes, thyroid disease, and autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren syndrome may also be associated with dry eye. That's another reason persistent symptoms deserve an eye examination rather than simply trying one eye drop after another.

What Actually Helps Dry Eye?

There isn't one treatment that works for every patient. Treatment depends on what is causing the dry eye and how severe it is.

Artificial Tears

For mild dry eye, lubricating artificial tears are often a good place to start. Patients who need drops frequently may be advised to use preservative-free artificial tears, depending on their individual situation. But if you're using drops several times every day and still struggling with symptoms, it may be time to look for an underlying cause rather than simply adding more drops.

Warm Compresses and Eyelid Care

For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, warm compresses may help loosen the oils inside the eyelid glands. Your eye doctor may also recommend eyelid hygiene or other treatments depending on what is found during your examination.

Change Your Screen Habits

Try periodically looking away from your screen and making a conscious effort to blink completely. Reducing direct airflow from fans or vents, using a humidifier in dry environments, and taking breaks from prolonged screen use may also help.

Prescription Dry-Eye Treatments

When over-the-counter treatments aren't enough, prescription eye drops may be appropriate. There are several medications available for dry eye, including treatments designed to address inflammation or improve tear production. The right medication depends on the type and severity of dry eye.

Punctal Plugs

Tiny openings near the inner corners of your eyelids allow tears to drain away from the eyes. For certain patients, an ophthalmologist may recommend punctal plugs, which partially block these drainage openings and help natural or artificial tears remain on the surface of the eye longer.

What About IPL Treatment for Dry Eye?

For some patients whose dry eye is related to meibomian gland dysfunction, intense pulsed light, or IPL, may be another treatment option. NOVA Advanced Eyecare offers OptiLight by Lumenis, a light-based treatment used as part of the management of certain cases of dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. FDA's authorization for this type of IPL treatment covers improvement of signs of moderate-to-severe dry eye associated with MGD in appropriate adult patients and describes it as an adjunct to treatments such as artificial tears, warm compresses, and meibomian gland expression. Not every dry-eye patient is a candidate for IPL, which is why an examination is important before deciding on treatment.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor for Dry Eye?

Consider scheduling an eye examination if:

• Your eyes frequently burn, sting, or feel gritty

• Your vision becomes intermittently blurry

• You're constantly reaching for artificial tears

• Your symptoms interfere with reading, computer work, driving, or wearing contact lenses

• Treatments you've tried at home aren't providing enough relief

An ophthalmologist can evaluate your tear film, eyelids, and eye surface and determine which factors may be contributing to your symptoms. Dry-eye testing can include examination with a slit lamp, measurement of tear production, and evaluation of how quickly the tear film breaks apart after blinking.

Find Dry Eye Relief at NOVA Advanced Eyecare

Dry eye may be common, but that doesn't mean you have to simply live with irritated or uncomfortable eyes. At NOVA Advanced Eyecare, Dr. Hana Na has a special interest in advanced dry-eye treatment and offers both traditional dry-eye therapies and OptiLight IPL for appropriate patients. If you're experiencing persistent dry-eye symptoms, schedule an evaluation so we can determine what's causing them and discuss treatment options that fit your individual needs.

Dr. Hana Na is a board-certified ophthalmologist serving Centreville and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities. NOVA Advanced Eyecare offers comprehensive dry eye evaluations and other advanced eye care services, with personalized treatment plans designed to relieve symptoms, improve comfort, and protect long-term eye health.

To schedule an appointment with NOVA Advanced Eyecare, call (571) 832-8650.

Medical information on this website is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace an examination or individualized advice from your eye doctor.

Reviewed by Hana Na, MD — Board-Certified Ophthalmologist